Post by MaxQuad on Feb 2, 2006 12:59:59 GMT -5
To say Doha is not a frequent destination of Western musical performers is an understatement. To give you a sense of it, the last "name" performers were The Scorpions, here in November for an acoustic tour. Qatar is a virtual music desert, which is fitting, isn't it?
Al Sadd Stadium, about a kilometer walk from our stately villa compound, was the open air venue for last night's major music event, Bryan Adams and his Room Service Tour 2006.
A definite ex-patriot flavor to this show, with nary an abaya or thobe in sight. (Apparently even the abaya/hijab-wearing Michael Jackson remained in Bahrain for the night.) Skirts were short. Midriffs were bare. Definitely an atypical night in Doha. Desperate ex-patriots.
Jive Turkey. Who in their right mind would select Jive Turkey as the name of their band? Apparently desperate ex-patriot students or former students at Qatar University selected personally by Sheikha Mouza to perform as the opener. A moderately talented cover band that performed for forty long minutes. Sweet Home Alabama was clearly an odd choice as an opening song here in Doha. At least there was a Canadian reference in the song (Neil Young) - so fitting from that perspective. Compared to U2, a much less haunting version of With or Without You was another notable selection by...Jive Turkey. Yes, Jive Turkey.
Of course, the obligatory Canadian flags were unfurled as Bryan Adams took the stage. Despite his vocals being submerged in the mix much of the night, the desperate ex-patriots were ecstatic. A few young girls were determined to make the soccer field into a mosh pit. A mosh pit? For Bryan Adams? As they ran furiously toward each other in short skirts with bare midriffs, I kept wondering if this is how it felt at CBGB's occasionally. (I had my doubts.)
Bryan gave his full effort, playing for a complete 2 hours, which was good value for the QR 200 (plus or minus QR 50) ticket cost. He played the many hits: Summer of '69, Cuts Like a Knife, Run to You, Heaven, (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, among others. Yes, lighters and glo-sticks were waving under the Arabian skies during the appropriate songs. One highlight, a 12 year old Iraqi musician, Bilal, joining on one tune. That was a nice moment. A less nice moment, the young Algerian woman selected from the crowd to sing along during one tune had no grasp of the words. Stopping mid-song and selecting another young woman who knew the words was a necessary evil to salvage the moment.
When he played the hits that I recognized, the music proved an enjoyable diversion from the quiet and lazy nights usually experienced here. When he played less than hits, the music was again enjoyable, but also forgettable in the end.
The second encore featured Bryan alone on stage for two songs - only his acoustic guitar to accompany. He dedicated the final two songs to Sheikha Al-Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Royal Family sponsor of this charity event. Proceeds were earmarked for Reach Out to Asia, an NGO under the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation that has raised 25 million dollars in one year to rebuild educational institutions in Asia.
In the end, it was a fun evening with fellow desperate ex-patriot colleagues from our team. The performance was full of energy, forced flash by his guitarist, and the occasional naughty word that almost made us feel as if we were back in the States. (Well, since he is a Canuck, make that North America.) The money spent is being put to a good cause, so what more could we ask?
If I am lucky, perhaps another major musical event will emerge before I depart in 3 months. What are the odds that the pseudo-band currently appearing in India will find some gullible and desperate ex-pats here that are willing to yell, "Woo-hoo, sing Aqualung, Jethro!"? That would be a sight - Jethro standing on one leg, doo-rag replaced by an hijab. Definitely worth more than QR 200. Sheikha Al-Mayassa, are you listening?
MQ
Al Sadd Stadium, about a kilometer walk from our stately villa compound, was the open air venue for last night's major music event, Bryan Adams and his Room Service Tour 2006.
A definite ex-patriot flavor to this show, with nary an abaya or thobe in sight. (Apparently even the abaya/hijab-wearing Michael Jackson remained in Bahrain for the night.) Skirts were short. Midriffs were bare. Definitely an atypical night in Doha. Desperate ex-patriots.
Jive Turkey. Who in their right mind would select Jive Turkey as the name of their band? Apparently desperate ex-patriot students or former students at Qatar University selected personally by Sheikha Mouza to perform as the opener. A moderately talented cover band that performed for forty long minutes. Sweet Home Alabama was clearly an odd choice as an opening song here in Doha. At least there was a Canadian reference in the song (Neil Young) - so fitting from that perspective. Compared to U2, a much less haunting version of With or Without You was another notable selection by...Jive Turkey. Yes, Jive Turkey.
Of course, the obligatory Canadian flags were unfurled as Bryan Adams took the stage. Despite his vocals being submerged in the mix much of the night, the desperate ex-patriots were ecstatic. A few young girls were determined to make the soccer field into a mosh pit. A mosh pit? For Bryan Adams? As they ran furiously toward each other in short skirts with bare midriffs, I kept wondering if this is how it felt at CBGB's occasionally. (I had my doubts.)
Bryan gave his full effort, playing for a complete 2 hours, which was good value for the QR 200 (plus or minus QR 50) ticket cost. He played the many hits: Summer of '69, Cuts Like a Knife, Run to You, Heaven, (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, among others. Yes, lighters and glo-sticks were waving under the Arabian skies during the appropriate songs. One highlight, a 12 year old Iraqi musician, Bilal, joining on one tune. That was a nice moment. A less nice moment, the young Algerian woman selected from the crowd to sing along during one tune had no grasp of the words. Stopping mid-song and selecting another young woman who knew the words was a necessary evil to salvage the moment.
When he played the hits that I recognized, the music proved an enjoyable diversion from the quiet and lazy nights usually experienced here. When he played less than hits, the music was again enjoyable, but also forgettable in the end.
The second encore featured Bryan alone on stage for two songs - only his acoustic guitar to accompany. He dedicated the final two songs to Sheikha Al-Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Royal Family sponsor of this charity event. Proceeds were earmarked for Reach Out to Asia, an NGO under the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation that has raised 25 million dollars in one year to rebuild educational institutions in Asia.
In the end, it was a fun evening with fellow desperate ex-patriot colleagues from our team. The performance was full of energy, forced flash by his guitarist, and the occasional naughty word that almost made us feel as if we were back in the States. (Well, since he is a Canuck, make that North America.) The money spent is being put to a good cause, so what more could we ask?
If I am lucky, perhaps another major musical event will emerge before I depart in 3 months. What are the odds that the pseudo-band currently appearing in India will find some gullible and desperate ex-pats here that are willing to yell, "Woo-hoo, sing Aqualung, Jethro!"? That would be a sight - Jethro standing on one leg, doo-rag replaced by an hijab. Definitely worth more than QR 200. Sheikha Al-Mayassa, are you listening?
MQ